Google’s Wonder Wheel is Search and Mind Mapping combined together. The Wonder Wheel was introduced in May 2009 and is one of Google’s best kept secrets. This search/mindmapper tool shows search results in a Wheel with different Spokes for each associated search result. Fantastic tool for brainstorming, studying trends, and idea generation.

Last week I showed you how to use Google’s Advanced search features. This lets you drill-down and laser focus your search. Today, we’ll look at Google’s Wonder Wheel. How does it work? It displays a visual wheel of results, with related search items on each spoke. It’s more than a fancy trick. Keep working with it and you’ll see how powerful it can be.

Tip – make Google’s advanced search page your default. It’s worth the small effort.

How to use Google’s Wonder Wheel

1. Enter your keyword into Google to start the search.

2. Click Show Options (top left of nav bar). This expands the nav bar down the left side of the screen.

3. Click Wonder Wheel under Standard View. This creates a starfish-shaped circle with spokes to the related searches.

4. Click on the spokes (i.e. associated searches) to find more relevant key words and phrases.

You can click on the spokes to research different topics or return to the wonder wheel.

How ProBlogger uses Google’s Wonder Wheel

Darren Rowse’s video, “How to Use Google’s Wonder Wheel to Find Topics to Write about” shows how he uses the Wonder Wheel for idea generation. For example, to see what queries people enter into Google that he may not have thought of or to catch up with new trends. This helps focus your writing so that your content is aligned with what people are searching for. Make sense? http://www.problogger.net

FYI – Darren Rowse’s blog is compulsive reading if you plan to make a living online.

Does Google’s Wonder Wheel Really Work?

Does this help you find the search item you were after or is the regular way better? I use it when I get writer’s block and want to look at things from a fresh perspective.

At first, I found it gimmicky. But, the more I use it, the more ideas it creates. The trick is see where it can help and avoid deviating into topics that are not on your radar.

How about you? What do you think?

PS – You can learn How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain’s Untapped Potential here. An excellent introduction to mind mapping techniques.

Anyone who suffers from dyslexia, or other related literacy difficulties, tends to find it hard to read or find information on the Internet. TextHelp has now released several new software products to address this. Fact Finder helps dyslexics and those with literacy needs often struggle when searching for information due to their unique spelling patterns. You can now search Google through from inside Microsoft Word, ensuring the right spelling before starting the search.

Other writing software includes:

Fact Folder – assists those with organisational and sequencing problems commonly associated with dyslexia. It lets you compile information on any topic so you can organise work more efficiently. For example, this makes it easier to complete a business report as all the information they require is at hand.

Fact Mapper – produces a visual representation of facts and ideas online. This is particularly useful when brainstorming, revising and drafting work. Also lets you use images to help remember what your key facts are when revising, brainstorming ideas or drafting work.

Tip: you can export the Fact Map to a web page or to Microsoft Word. This is particularly useful if you have used the Fact Mapper to set out points you wish to include in an essay. Mind Mapping has been shown to help children and adults with learning difficulties to achieve higher exam grades.

The Fact Mapper incorporates this technique along with the other support features most commonly called upon to assist those with learning difficulties.

Link: Texthelp Systems